Forget Murray Mania and Sunshine – It’s Time to Plan for the C-Word

Scots recovering from Andy Murray’s Wimbledon exertions and hoping for a few more days of sunshine are being urged to start planning now … for Christmas.

To help revellers get in the mood six months early, Sodexo is offering party organisers at four top Scottish venues the chance to win a weekend shopping trip to London.

Sodexo Prestige, which provides catering and hospitality services at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), Hamilton Park Racecourse, Hampden Park and Pittodrie stadium, will welcome thousands of people to Christmas parties at all four venues.

To encourage early bookings, everyone who makes a festive party enquiry between now and September 30 will be placed in a free prize draw for a chance to win a Christmas shopping weekend in London, including dinner and accommodation.

Sun cream

Austin Tilsley, Scotland regional director at Sodexo Prestige, said: “It’s the height of summer, so it may seem odd to be talking about Christmas when most people are thinking about sun cream and barbecues.

“But for those people who are responsible for booking office or workplace Christmas parties, this is an ideal time. There’s nothing worse than the last minute phone round trying to find somewhere the right size, in the right place or at the right price.

“Booking now gives peace of mind that everything is going to be well-planned, well-delivered and means everyone involved can relax until the night itself. All four of these venues have a special atmosphere and deliver a fantastic night for groups of just about any size.

“If another incentive was needed to book now, then the chance to win an all-expense paid shopping trip to London in December is a fantastic prize.”

To qualify for free entry into the London Weekend prize draw, all you have to do is place your Christmas enquiry with any of the four Scottish Sodexo Prestige venues hosting Christmas parties.

• Hampden Park will be transformed into a Magical Winter Wonderland this festive season. Guests will begin the evening with a festive cocktail in Santa’s Grotto before entering the Magical Winter Wonderland to enjoy a three course meal and a night of fun and entertainment with Real Radio DJ Steve McKenna until 1.30am. Packages start from £39.50 to £45 per person. The venue can cater for private parties ranging in size from 50 to 500. Details on 0141 620 4120 or www.hampdenpark.co.uk.

• Hamilton Park is promising “parties that will blow your baubles off” on December 6, 7, 14, 20 and 21. Partygoers will enjoy a cocktail on arrival, a three-course meal with half bottle of wine per person and a nightclub-themed area with a DJ from Clyde 1. Private parties can be booked in the executive boxes, before later joining other revellers in the nightclub area. Tickets available £39.95 per person with dedicated event managers. Full details are available on 01698 206475 or www.hamilton-park.co.uk

• Aberdeen Football Club’s annual ‘Bring a Party to a Party’ event runs on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21. Partygoers get fizz on arrival, a three-course dinner or Carvery and a nightclub-themed area with Northsound 2 DJ Dave MacDermid until 1am. Private boxes at the stadium can be booked, or join the bigger crowd at the Richard Donald Stand. Tickets for the events are priced at £38.50 per person for the main party nights and £36.50 per person for private parties. Contact 01224 650445 or [email protected]

• RBGE has a unique opportunity for festive parties this year. Inverleith House, which normally hosts world class art exhibitions and previously served as home to a distinguished line of Victorian botanists and gardeners, will be turned into an exclusive entertaining venue for private dining during December. Elsewhere the Garden’s acclaimed John Hope Gateway Restaurant also offers a range of exclusive parties. Places are available from £45 per person, for a three course dinner, half bottle of wine, entertainment and a cash bar till late. Contact 0131 552 1974 or visit www.gatewayrestaurant.net.

Sodexo Prestige is the corporate dining, hospitality and events division of Sodexo and partners with 17 top class venues in Scotland and 50 across the UK. Around 20 of those venues are offering bespoke Christmas events, including Hampden.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

Competition details:

Enquire now for a chance to win a Christmas Shopping Weekend in London for two people including return travel to London* from any UK destination, overnight accommodation in central London with breakfast, one shopping voucher worth £100, luxury dinner cruise with wine for two on board Bateaux London’
(*using the most cost effective means train or plane.)

How to Enter

Simply place your Christmas enquiry with your preferred venue quoting ‘Christmas Shopping Weekend’ and we will enter you into our free prize draw. Offer ends 30th September 2013 and the winner will be notified by 7th October 2013.
Entries will open on 8th July and the closing date for entries will be 12 noon on 30th September in Great Britain. The winner will be drawn at random and notified by Monday 7th October 2013. Prize redemption is subject to availability of each element of the prize and must be redeemed by 16th December 2013

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Scott Douglas

Scott Douglas is the co-founder of the multi award-winning Holyrood Partnership, renowned public relations agency in Edinburgh, Scotland.
As well as providing expert PR services in Scotland and the UK, the former journalist heads a team which offers a host of other professional media services.
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